TPT May 2009

I nspection, M easuring, T esting & M arking

Automated tube and rod alloy verification

The process is also fast; for example, the Fox-IQ can differentiate based upon 0.3 per cent Ti in 5 seconds of testing time (304/321 stainless steel), 0.2 per cent V in 8 seconds (9Cr / P91 low alloy steel) and 0.04 per cent V in 15 seconds (various carbon steel). In addition, the Fox-IQ is flexible and works in the same setup on tubes from 6mm diameter to 6m. The Fox-IQ takes the power of XRF and wraps it up into a package that integrates easily into either new or existing lines. The analysis head is compact enough (10cm x 10cm x 30cm) to fit between rollers on the line. It should be mounted within 5mm of the sample to differentiate grades with Ti, and within 10mm of the tube for other elements. Closer to the tube is better as it means higher count rates and shorter testing. The user interface has been designed specifically for the needs of the tube and rod industry. It is intuitive to operate and indexes the data by lot number to make record keeping and report generation very simple. The Fox-IQ can communicate to external systems using either physical binary voltage signals to a PLC or using TCP/ IP commands over ethernet. This article was supplied by Mr Phil Miller, product manager for online systems. Innov-X Systems Inc – USA Fax : +1 781 938 0128

Tube and pipe manufacturers often produce many different alloys. The most demanding (and high margin) customers, such as petrochemical, aerospace and nuclear, require suppliers to verify the correct alloy grade. An alloy grade mix-up can be catastrophic for both customer and supplier. If unchecked, the wrong grade can lead to a catastrophic failure, followed by liability claims, lost reputation and damaged future business. A supplier needs to know the right grade is being shipped, and also needs a system that is easy to use and tough enough for the factory floor.

Innov-X offers the Fox-IQ tube analyzer (factory online XRF), with the IQ to analyze quickly and accurately. There are currently several leading tube and rod manufacturers, such as Sandvik, using this system. The Fox-IQ enables use of XRF to check the grade of each and every tube produced. XRF is a very good technique because it is powerful and can analyze up to 25 elements (titanium and above) in a single test. This enables even the toughest grade splits, as often the absence or presence of even a small amount of an element determines the grade.

 The Fox-IQ tube analyzer is used to verify the correct tube alloys

Email : info@innovxsys.com Website : www.innovx.com

HotProfiler™ System True Profiles • True measured profiles • 3D Presentation • Profiles in Real Time • Rotating or static version • Minimum of maintenance • Measures: Bars, tubes, pipes, squares, flats and rods. Size range 5-1800mm

+46 (0)31-58 44 00 sales@limab.se www.limab.com

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M ay 2009

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